Chatting with Brazilian outlet Combate (translated by MMA Fighting's Guilherme Cruz), former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva shed some light on his plans for the future. According to Silva, it seems he has no desire to face former challenger Vitor Belfort in a rematch of their title bout back in 2011. Silva finished Belfort with a front kick to the face, regarded as one of the most spectacular stoppages in UFC history.
"I don't think so," Silva told Combate about the possibility of fighting Belfort again. "What was supposed to be done was done. Of course, we are employees of the UFC, but I don't like to fight against Brazilians. I don't see that possibility."
Belfort, currently ranked No. 2 behind champion Chris Weidman and top contender Silva, has remained hopeful of another title shot after scoring consecutive knockout wins over Michael Bisping and Luke Rockhold. It seems Belfort's best hope for another shot at the middleweight crown may be if Weidman proves victorious in his own rematch with Silva booked for year's end at UFC 168.
Silva also commented on the possibility of facing fellow countryman and former Strikeforce champion Ronaldo Souza:
"If I'm your friend, I'm your friend, and money or status won't matter," he said. "Honor is more worthy than life for me. ‘Jacare' or another one, I wouldn't like to fight a friend of mine. But that's the thing. I'm in a position and I never had to take anything from anyone to get where I am today."
Just taking a quick glance at Silva's perceived prerequisites to garner his interest in a fight, the former champion could be running out of options. Following his second match with Weidman in December, Silva will have eight fights remaining on his current contract. Here's how the UFC currently ranks its middleweight contenders:
No. 2 Vitor Belfort (Brazilian, defeated)*
No. 3 Yushin Okami (defeated)*
No. 4 Michael Bisping
No. 5 Ronaldo Souza (Brazilian, friend)*
No. 6 Mark Munoz (friend)*
No. 7 Costa Philippou
No. 8 Luke Rockhold
No. 9 Chael Sonnen (defeated)*
No. 10 Tim Boetsch
Of course, none of Silva's wish list of factors matter when push comes to shove. Money talks and whom Silva fights isn't completely up to him. It's all conjecture until Dec. 28.
*Editor's note.
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